USA: Is Biden’s entire agenda about to shrink into nothingness? - by Robert Reich

This week, Democrats either reach an agreement on Biden’s social and climate agenda or the agenda may shrink into meaninglessness. The climate measures in particular need to be settled before Biden heads to Scotland for the UN climate summit this weekend, so other nations will see our commitment to reduce carbon emissions.

On Sunday, Biden met with key Democrats to work out spending and tax provisions. Yet every senate Republican and at least two senate Democrats continue to assert that Biden’s agenda is too costly.

Too costly? Really? Compare the Biden’s social and climate package’s current compromise tab of $2tn (spread out over the next 10 years) with:The $1.9 trillion Trump Republican tax cut that went mostly to the wealthy and large corporations.

Americans were promised that its benefits would “trickle down” to average workers. They didn’t. Corporations used them to finance more stock buybacks. The wealthy used them to buy more shares of stock (and shares of private-equity and hedge funds).

Read more at: Is Biden’s entire agenda about to shrink into nothingness? | Robert Reich | The Guardian

The US in Crises: Capitol riot: What does a deadly day mean for Trump's legacy? - by Anthony Zurcher

For weeks, Donald Trump had been pointing to 6 January as a day of reckoning. It was when he told his supporters to come to Washington DC, and challenge Congress - and Vice-President Mike Pence - to discard the results of November's election and keep the presidency in his hands.

On Wednesday morning, the president and his warm-up speakers set the whirlwind in motion.

Rudy Giuliani, the president's personal lawyer, said the election disputes should be resolved through "trial by combat".

Donald Trump Jr, the president's oldest son, had a message to members of his party who would not "fight" for their president.

"This isn't their Republican Party anymore," he said. "This is Donald Trump's Republican Party."

Read more at: Capitol riot: What does a deadly day mean for Trump's legacy? - BBC News

US Civil Rights movement: Martin Luther King Jr.: His life's defining moments

Dr. Martin Luther King: a shining light of the US Civil Rights Movement

Today is Martin Luther King day, which is a national holiday in the USA.

Dr. Martin Luther King, a Baptist Preacher, was not only a social activist but is also the widely respected Afro-American Leader  of the Afro-American Civil Rights movement.

King was the chief spokesperson for nonviolent activism in the Civil Rights Movement, which successfully protested racial discrimination in federal and state law. The campaign for a federal holiday in King's honor began soon after his assassination in 1968. President Ronald Reagan signed the holiday into law in 1983, and it was first observed three years later. At first, some states resisted observing the holiday as such, giving it alternative names or combining it with other holidays. It was officially observed in all 50 states for the first time in 2000.

He was assassinated at the Lorraine Motel in Memphis, Tennessee, on April 4, 1968 by James Ear who was arrested on June 8, 1968, in London at Heathrow Airport, extradited to the United States, and charged with the crimem and was sentenced to 99 years in the Tennessee State Penitentiary.

Note EU-Digest: A great man, who had the right dream for America, which unfortunately is still a job in progress.

For a pictorial review click here: Martin Luther King Jr.: His life's defining moments

The Chávez Myth and Incredulous Europe - by Rafael Rico Ríos

Chavez has died, now he is a legend and a myth. The debate in Europe is whether Chavismo will remain united, while shocked by the mystical manifestations of a people's pain. They fail to relate how in the processes of Latin American liberation, the mysticism and unity of the popular movements go hand-in-hand. The Chavez Myth is cemented, reinforced concrete for the unity of Chavismo’s factions, which will work for a long time. Those who don´t stay true to Chavez’s memory will leave Chavismo.

Ahead of the April 14 elections, Chavismo’s unity is  guaranteed whilst the opposition, which was held together by a set of interests against Chavez, has serious problems of cohesion that may adversely affect the mobilization of their electorate. Whilst alive, Chavez held Chavismo together, but more importantly, he held together the opposition.

Although the Democratic Unity Roundtable (MUD), have agreed on the unique nomination of Capriles, the  opposition electorate perceives the internal divisions and lack of political leadership, resulting from the  heterogeneity of the political currents within it. It is true that the opposition came very close in the last presidential elections. However, electorally, Chavismo need not worry about the opposition: if Chavismo mobilises all its electorate, it will win easily. Paradoxically, in order for the opposition to win Chavista votes, they would be forced to use the Chavez Myth by arguing: "Chávez himself was a true leader and you are not Chavez."

In any case, the Bolivarian Revolution now has its legend which will give it body and consistency for a long time.  Latin America will continue down the path of change with its legends, myths and revolutions. Europe, however, does not believe in itself. In crisis stricken Europe, they believe in an inert reality, motionless and stiff. Perhaps Europe will have its revolution the night it regains its mystique, believes in its legends and hears the terrifying moan of its Llorona when it kills with hunger.

Read more: The Chávez Myth and Incredulous Europe | venezuelanalysis.com